ACT Reading: Craft & Structure

Tips and Tricks

Craft & Structure questions test whether you can figure out how a passage works, not just what it says. You'll need to analyze word meanings, the author's choices, passage organization, and different perspectives. This category makes up about 25–30% of the ACT Reading section (roughly 10–12 out of 40 questions), so it's a significant chunk worth preparing for.

Here are strategies that help with these questions:

• Read actively. Underline key phrases, circle words that signal tone, and jot brief notes in the margins about what each paragraph is doing (arguing, describing, contrasting, etc.). This makes it much faster to find evidence when you need it.
• Use context clues for vocabulary. When you hit an unfamiliar word, don't panic. Look at the sentences around it. The passage almost always gives you enough information to figure out the meaning.
• Identify tone and purpose early. As you read, ask yourself: Is this author trying to persuade, inform, entertain, or reflect? Knowing this shapes how you interpret word choices and structural decisions.
• Skim first, then scan. A quick read-through gives you the big picture. When you get to specific questions, go back and scan the relevant section for evidence. Don't rely on memory alone.

Question Types

The ACT identifies seven types of Craft & Structure questions. Each one asks you to look at the passage from a slightly different angle.

• Determine Word and Phrase Meanings – Figure out what a specific word or phrase means based on how it's used in the passage.
• Analyze Author's Word Choice Rhetorically – Explain why the author chose particular words and how those choices affect tone, mood, or impact.
• Analyze Text Structure – Examine how the passage is organized (cause-effect, chronological, compare-contrast, problem-solution) and why that structure matters.
• Understand Author's Purpose and Perspective – Identify the author's goal (to persuade, inform, challenge) and their viewpoint on the topic.
• Analyze Characters' Points of View – Recognize how different characters see events differently and what those perspectives reveal.
• Interpret Authorial Decisions Rhetorically – Identify literary devices and rhetorical techniques and explain what they accomplish.
• Differentiate Between Various Perspectives and Sources of Information – Compare and contrast different viewpoints or sources within the passage.

Determine Word and Phrase Meanings

These questions give you a word or phrase from the passage and ask what it means in context. The key phrase there is "in context." Many words have multiple definitions, and the ACT specifically tests whether you can pick the right one based on how it's used.

How to approach it:

1. Go back to the passage and reread the sentence containing the word, plus the sentences before and after it.
2. Look for clues: What is the sentence describing? What's the overall tone?
3. Try substituting each answer choice into the sentence. The correct answer should fit smoothly without changing the meaning.

Example: "The protagonist's indomitable spirit throughout the hardships inspired her companions."

Even if you don't know "indomitable," the sentence tells you this spirit helped people get through hardships and inspired others. That points toward something like "unconquerable" or "unwavering." You're using the surrounding information to narrow down the meaning.

Analyze Author's Word Choice Rhetorically

These questions ask why the author picked certain words and what effect those words have on the reader. You're not just defining words here; you're explaining their purpose.

Example: "The eerie silence enveloped the dark forest, evoking a sense of trepidation in the lone traveler."

A question might ask why the author uses "eerie" instead of simply "quiet." The word "eerie" carries connotations of something unsettling and mysterious, which builds tension. Paired with "trepidation" (a feeling of anxious dread), the author creates a mood of fear and isolation. Notice how the word choices work together to produce a specific emotional effect. That's what these questions are really asking about.

Analyze Text Structure

These questions focus on how the passage is organized and why that organization matters. You might be asked about the role of a specific paragraph, how two sections relate to each other, or what structural pattern the author uses.

Common structures to recognize:

• Cause and effect – One section explains why something happens, the next explores the results
• Chronological – Events presented in time order
• Compare and contrast – Two ideas, people, or phenomena examined side by side
• Problem and solution – A problem is introduced, then possible solutions are discussed

Example: In a passage about climate change, the author might devote one paragraph to the causes of rising temperatures and the next to the environmental consequences. Recognizing this as a cause-effect structure helps you understand the author's argument and quickly locate information when answering questions.

Understand Author's Purpose and Perspective

These questions ask you to step back and consider the big picture: What is the author trying to accomplish, and what do they believe about the topic?

Look for clues in word choice, tone, and what the author emphasizes or downplays. An author who uses emotional language and calls readers to action is likely trying to persuade. An author who presents multiple sides neutrally is likely trying to inform.

Example: In a passage advocating for animal rights, the author might use vivid descriptions of animal suffering and emotionally charged language. The purpose is to persuade, and the perspective is clearly sympathetic to the animal rights cause. Questions might ask you to identify that purpose or explain how specific details support it.

Analyze Characters' Points of View

In literary or historical passages, different characters often see the same events differently. These questions test whether you can identify those distinct perspectives and understand what they reveal.

Example: In a passage about a historical event, a political leader might focus on national stability, while an ordinary citizen might focus on how the event disrupts daily life. A question could ask how these two perspectives differ or what a specific character's reaction reveals about their values.

The key is paying attention to what each character notices, how they feel, and what they prioritize. Those details reveal their point of view.

Interpret Authorial Decisions Rhetorically

These questions ask you to identify literary devices or rhetorical techniques and explain what they accomplish. You need to go beyond just naming the device; you need to say what it does for the passage.

Common devices to watch for: metaphor, simile, repetition, irony, imagery, juxtaposition, and rhetorical questions.

Example: "Her laughter was a melody."

This metaphor compares laughter to music. The effect is to convey that her laughter is pleasant, harmonious, and memorable. If a question asks about this line, the correct answer will connect the device to its impact on meaning or tone, not just identify it as a metaphor.

Differentiate Between Various Perspectives and Sources of Information

Some passages present multiple viewpoints on the same topic, especially in paired passages or passages about debates. These questions ask you to track who believes what and how those positions differ.

How to approach it:

1. As you read, note each perspective and who holds it.
2. Identify where the perspectives agree and where they diverge.
3. Pay attention to the evidence or reasoning each side uses.

Example: In a passage about climate change featuring two scientists, one might argue that human activity is the primary driver, while the other emphasizes natural climate cycles. A question could ask you to identify the key difference between their positions or determine which evidence supports which scientist's view.

Conclusion

Craft & Structure questions reward careful, active reading. For every question in this category, the answer is in the passage. Your job is to notice how the author uses language, structure, and perspective to build meaning. Practice identifying tone, purpose, and organizational patterns as you read, and these questions will become much more manageable.